On Monday this week on 11th February there was a discussion in House of Lords which is entitled Prioritising Early Childhood: Academy of Medical Sciences Report which was opened by Philip Hunt who is a Labour member. The Government member who responded was Nick Markham. After a number of other people corresponded there was a very significant question which was submitted by the Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow. So here is the opening comment from Philip followed by the comment from Martyn. The rest of the text can be found from here.

Philip Hunt: To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report of the Academy of Medical Sciences Prioritising early childhood to promote the nation’s health, wellbeing and prosperity, published on 5 February, particularly regarding children under 5.

Nick Markham: The Government welcome the report. We have taken significant action to improve children’s health in the early years. This includes reducing sugar in children’s food, supporting healthy diets for families from lower-income households through schemes such as Healthy Start, and investing record amounts into children’s and young people’s mental health services and around £300 million in the family hubs and Start for Life programmes. We are also improving children’s oral health through our dentistry recovery plan.

Martyn Snow: My Lords, there is strong evidence that in the early 2000s increases in child benefits led to an increase in the amount parents spent on fruit and vegetables and books and toys for their children. What assessment have the Government made of the impact of the two-child limit on benefits and, in particular, on the health and well-being of the 1.5 million children affected?

Nick Markham: We recognise very much, as said in the report, the importance of poverty in all this. We have seen the number children in absolute poverty decrease by 400,000 since 2010, which is a significant reduction. The Chancellor’s announcement last week showed the importance we place on child benefit in getting money to people to help. It is a very important area.